Intoxicated pedestrian dies when hit by vehicle in Glenwood

A 25-year-old man who was extremely intoxicated died early Sunday after being struck by a vehicle on Colorado 82 at the southern edge of Glenwood Springs.

Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire said Monday that the victim, Edwin Omar Ventura, 25, of Carbondale, had blood alcohol content of .346 percent — more than four times the level at which a driver is deemed intoxicated. Many people lose consciousness at .30, according to webmd.com and other sites.

The Glenwood Police Department received word of the incident at 11:59 p.m. Saturday. When police arrived, a Garfield County deputy was administering CPR to the victim. Glenwood Springs Fire Department took the man to Valley View Hospital, and police were notified of his death at 12:41 a.m.

The pedestrian was wearing dark clothing and ran across the highway near the McDonald's in low-light conditions. The driver of the Jeep that struck him was a 29-year-old Snowmass resident. Officers interviewed the driver, who was the sole vehicle occupant, and saw no signs of impairment.

The driver said his speed was between 35 and 40 mph at the time of the incident. After reviewing the scene, a Colorado State Patrol traffic accident investigator said the driver’s estimated speed was accurate.

Glenwood Springs Police Chief Terry Wilson said no charges have been brought against the driver, and none are expected.

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Glassmire said an autopsy determined that the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head and neck and the manner of death was accidental.